Surprise Trip into Myanmar (Burma)

We call this our "Surprise Trip into Burma" story. We had no idea we were going into Burma. Let us tell you why.

About 10 days ago, Pastor Lota called to tell us he was putting on a "Camp Out" for a few hundred kids that live up in the mountains. He proceeded to tell us that most of them are orphans and live at this school.

He ask if we could help with some money to provide food and expenses to put on this event. He also asked if we would like to go to the event. We asked questions like how many kids, how far away, how many days was the 'Camp Out", etc.? We never thought to ask : "What Country?"

We have been involved with Pastor Lota's projects with kids in the past. He is great with the children! I think the term in the USA is he's "jeggie" with them. He always has fun with his message and everyone else has fun, too.

Our belief is that if people, kids are people, don't have fun they won't stick around very long. We feel this is true for jobs, church, recovery programs and life in general.

Last Sunday, Daeng and I visited his church and after the service talked more. He told us that for the three day event he still needed about 15,000 THB. This was to feed the several hundred people for the three days and to provide printed material and support services for the "Camp Out".

Now, my idea of camping out is a hotel with room service closing at 2:00 AM but I wanted to see what he was involved in. We were told that if we just wanted to come for one night he could arrange for us to be picked up on Friday and return with them on Saturday.

We said: "Let's make it happen!". We electronically transferred the money into Pastor Lota's account and waited until Friday.

At about 8:30 Friday morning we got a call to let us know we would be picked up about 10:00 AM. We packed a backpack with things to survive for the next 36 hours camping out. You know, things like instant coffee, bathroom tissue, tooth brushes and a change of clothes.

I did take my CPAP (breathing machine that I use when I sleep) machine as we were told there was electricity. I did not bring my battery pack to Thailand this trip as over the last four years and nine trips I have never needed it, even at the Chang Mountain trip.

"Waen", the driver, picked us up in a nice Toyota pick-up truck right on Thai time. Thai time is aways "around" a given time. Don't complain, it's not personal, it's just the way it is. Daeng always reminds me that "It's not personal, just accept it."

We kidded him a little about the Thai fix for the acceleration problem in the Toyota. The Thai fix is turn off key and step on brake. We all laughed.

The smoke from the jungle fires was not bad so we could see the sun. We drove about 45 minutes and stopped for gas. We offered 500 THB (exchange rate is 33 THB to 1 USD) for gas but Wean said: "No, but thank you." as he paid the attendant. Yes, they pump the gas for you here and there are no "self service" gas stations.

While we were getting gas, Daeng went into the 7-11 and bought some bottled water and potato chips. Yes, there is a 7-11 on every block here in Thailand. If there isn't a 7-11 there is a Circle K or a Food Mart.

We traveled south on Thai route #1 for a few more miles and then turned west as if we were on the way to Ban AYO. Speaking of the Ban AYO project, we received a call from Chom-nom's wife that he was arrested for possession of Yaba. Yaba is a drug containing methamphetamine. That is all we know at this time but will find out more in the next couple of weeks.

We traveled farther up the road to Mae Salong but then turned onto route 1234. We kidded as I am working on my speaking Thai and ,like a child, I said the route numbers in Thai several times. They are "Neung, Saung, Sarn, Seeh". Of course they, Daeng and Wean, laughed at me.

About a half hour later we pulled over to the side of the road and Wean said he had to make a phone call as this was the last place a cellular phone would work. Daeng and I had some mountain rice and egg at this little place along the road.

We than drove up the road about fifteen minutes and stopped, again. I was told that this is as far as I could go in the pick-up. I was confused. Wean told Daeng, in Thai, that I could not go any farther with them and I would have to go with the man that was waiting for me on a motorbike.

I still did not understand what they were saying. Wean told Daeng that I could not go through the Thai Army Camp on the Myanmar (Burma) border. He explained that the motorbike driver was going to smuggle me, on the motorbike, up through a narrow motorbike trail across the Burma border.

Daeng would go with Waen along with our bags, through the Thai Army Camp into the Shan Rebel Army area where the school was located. He also told us that Pastor Lota had arranged everything. It sounded like an adventure to me. I have know Pastor Lota for four years, Daeng for many more years, and was also sure that Pastor Lota would not risk our safety.

I jumped on the motorbike and waved to Daeng and Wean as they drove away.

Well, the motorbike trip was an "E Ticket" ride. If you don't know what a "E Ticket" ride is just ask any old person that has been to Disneyland in the olden days. Disneyland sold booklets of ride tickets and an "E Ticket" was the best rides. Example: I think the Tea Cups was a "B Ticket" and Space Mountain was an "E Ticket".

I had to walk part way because the path was too steep for the little motorbike to make it up the hills with this old, fat man on the back. The trip on the motorbike took us about an hour. Some of the path was very narrow with steep drop offs on one side of the path. The streams we crossed were fun, too.

I was relieved to see this huge clearing with the Toyota pick-up sitting to the side of the clearing. There was also a large stage set up.

When we got down the hill to the clearing Daeng ask if I was okay and told me she was worried about me. She is such a caring person and a great wife.

We had tea and meet the leader of this area. We talked a great deal about the needs of the people. This is an area of refugees that is protected on one side but the Shan Rebel Army. On the other side is Thailand and the Thai Army.

It is high in the mountains, which is good because no mosquitoes, and pretty safe from the Myanmar (Burmese) Army. I think of it as a Burmese refugee Camp but still in Burma.

The biggest need is food and water as it is hard to grow much food in this mountainous area. Drought is also a problem.

The tea plantations near by do hire tea pickers but that pays only about 70 THB ($2.00 USD) a day. That means if they could work everyday, which they can't, they would make about the equivalent of............. You do the math!

The kids were playing soccer in the cleared field. It was very dusty but the kids did not seem to care. They were just having fun.

Then, about 3:00 PM came the next surprise. I was told that I need to hide out for the next few hours as some Thai soldiers were coming to play soccer with the kids. It was not for my safety but because if they saw me they would retaliate against the people in the village for having me there.

I did not want to cause any trouble for anyone so I ask what should I do? They told me that a guide would take us to the hospital area. That was about a 20 minute walk away. When everything was clear they would let us know.

It was a nice walk up the hill and through another village area to this little hospital area. The hospital has twenty (20) beds and at presently two patients.

We also met the man they call "Doc" and learned a lot from him as he speaks perfect English. He takes care of things at the hospital area.

We met a Shan Soldier that I would consider as being a hero. About four months ago he was on patrol with four other soldiers and come across a land mine. I am told that he did not want his fellow soldiers to be hurt. He removed the land mine, to dispose of it, and it went off in his hands.

He lost both hands, one eye and was pretty beat up by the land mine explosion. None of the other soldiers were hurt.

We were told that a Doctor from Canada came to the area and helped this soldier. We talked with the soldier who seemed to be in very good spirits under the circumstances.

The other patient was there due to stomach problems and had only been there for two days.

We both got very grateful!

We hung out by this little hospital area for a while and then took a walk up the hill to "Doc's" home. His wife had a baby a month ago and he was doing the cooking to help his wife.

Someone radioed, walkie-talkie style, that it was okay for us to walk back.

As we walked back we saw kids doing back flips down the side of the hill that had been cleared. Because of the steep slope and sandy soil the children had soft landings.

When we arrive back to the school area they had some food for us. We sat and eat as youngsters and adults started to gather by the stage area for some entertainment and worship.

The electricity for the lights, speakers and sound system was coming from an old gas generator.

Pastor Lota is a very good guitar player and was getting down on the strings.

A good time was had by all. I was pretty beat so we left the stage area to bed down in one of the school rooms.

We will sleep on mats with lots of blankets because up in the mountains it is cool at night.

They shut off the generator at 10:00 PM so I will sleep without my CPAP machine for the first time in maybe seven years. I will sleep on my side and try not to snore.

I'm sure Daeng will wake me if I snore as we are sleeping on the concrete floor with about 10 other folks at this "Camp Out".

Good night! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite! Where white when you walk your bike. Keep your pants up, your legs crossed and come home from school in a group. (I raised four girls as a single parent.)

Tomorrow is another day!

Note: I have left many of the pictures and names of folks involved out of this story to protect them. If you would like more information, pictures or the exact location please email me at FunnyPlumber@gmail.com.